The Basics of Theory

For purposes of this book, theory refers to a genre of literature in which an underlying theme or message is advanced in an account or story about a subject that, on the surface, is unrelated. Theory is subtextual, existing below the surface of a piece of literature, and therefore it must be discovered by the reader; it is complex, and it is open to interpretation. Literary theory also takes into account the cultural impact on literature and vice versa. Culler's introduction to literary theory emphasizes that non-literary works (non-fiction) can be studied for their theoretical content as well as conventional literary works. For example, Culler cites the example of an account of World War I. The work, while historical and based upon real events, is not presented in a scientific manner; rather, it is presented in the style of a story and therefore contains the...